Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Arsenal. It is one of the big clubs in England. I still can remember the ‘pizzagate’ issue, Keano vs Viera era, etc. Now we are going to face them for the first time in Europe competition. In domestic cup matches, we had won 10, drew 2, and lost 7. Meanwhile in Premiership, we won 13, drew 10, and lost 10. In those 20 wins, we won 13 matches at home. Statistically, we can win tonight’s match. Nevertheless, European nights always different compared to domestic game. Statistics can fool you.

Through my observation during Arsenal vs Boro last weekend, Arsenal is at their peak again. With Cesc Fabregas started to score again, the midfielder will impose a bigger threat to us. Arshavin and van Persie won’t be playing, but they still have Adebayor upfront. We need somebody to close and man-marked Fabregas in order for us to have possession. By playing at home, I think Fergie should put two strikers at the top rather than one. Arsenal also loves to play overlapping and crossing from the flanks, therefore our wing backs should be fit enough to mark, chase, tackle, and counter-attack. To have all this traits, we can put our faith to Evra and O’Shea.

Hopefully we will win this match so we can go to Emirates with an advantage. May the best team win and I put all my faith to United! Glory Glory!

When you try to think back on greatest comebacks for United, everybody will think of the triumph in Nou Camp stadium in 1999. With a tap from Sheringham and Solksjaer, the trophy has to change the ribbon colour in the last minute of the game. But the latest comeback was against Spurs, after being 2-0 down. With 5 goals in 22 minutes, it such an interesting game to watch, especially you are United fans. The last comeback after being 2-0 down, (if I can remember) was against Everton at Goodison Park in season 2006/07 and that game was in 28 April 2007; just nearly 2 years back.

I’m glad we had gone through another match in Premier League and it is just 5 matches to go. But just to be aware, we will play away more than at home. Even at home, we will welcome Man City and Arsenal, two big matches; two big rivals in many perspective. Furthermore, we have to search for the 2 goals margin to equalize Liverpool’s goal difference.

You cannot deny what Tevez had done to the team when he came from the bench. It sends a strong message to the club that we need him no matter if we had bought players upfront.

Hopefully we can finish our final lap strong. Put fatigue out of the recipe.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Spurs. The club that always giving us hard time in cup tie. We have lost to them more often than winning in League Cup (only 1 win, 1 draw and 5 loss in 7 matches) and getting win 5 out of 10 matches in FA Cup. But it is different result in Premiership. We never lost to them at home in Premiership era (same with Portsmouth). We managed to get 42 points out of 48! Good statistics.

Yet, never be carried away. Focus is key. With Tevez hinting going to Spain next season, everybody needs to do their job effectively.

Last match, our squad looks solid, even when Rio was out of equation. But I think we need to freshen things up upfront. We need goals, not just outstanding play. With Rooney starts to hitting back of the net, he should bring more enthusiasm among players.

I couldn't say much for this game as I need to prepare myself as tomorrow I will be moving in to my new house. Glory Glory Man Utd! Let's go and get another 3 points!

2-0. Very good result for us. Now we are 3 points closer to 18th championship title. Credits to Portsmouth that they kept fighting until the end. But after 82 minutes trying to seal the game, came Carrick low drive shot to secure the full points.

For me, at this final stage of season, experience is the best recipe for success. Thanks Giggsy for the crossing he made for the first goal; and thanks to Scholesy for the thru pass for the second goal. We really need that kind of play.

Don't be relaxed with this win guys. We have to be even more cautious. Looking from outside, we are winning title again; we got those 3 points; we led the table with 3 points; we won with 2 goals margin. But, we have to look deeper than that. There are still 18 points to be fought; we are 3 goals lesser compared to Liverpool's goal difference; we still have to play Boro away from home and welcome Man City and Arsenal at home! All of this will determine our position come end of May.

In the end, I really enjoy this season as many ups and downs for us. Hoping final day it will an 'up' for us!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Portsmouth. From all EPL clubs, we will meet the club who’s had knock out us from FA Cup last season. They done it in our home soil and then became champions of FA Cup 2008/09. Now we meet them again in different scenario; i.e. playing for Premier League match with 7 games left for this season.

Yes, we were disappointed for not going to Wembley again for this year FA Cup Final against Chelsea, but we can still move on and get our QUADRUPLE! Impossible? Not really, as we have the capability to do it.

Coming back to Portsmouth, we never lost against them in Premier League era. We got 15 points out of 15! Good statistics. But never be complacent. More over, the last time we lost against them is in season 2004/05 at Fratton Park. That game ended we defeated 2-0. If you can remember the second goal was in the 90th minute with Rio Ferdinand back passed to Van der Sar and our goalie misjudge it! (Please correct me if I’m wrong)

We need to win this game, in order to put more pressure to our rival, Liverpool. They drew 4-4 against Arsenal yesterday and it really a big boost for us! Never write-off Chelsea, they kept going inaudibly behind us. One major slip, instead Red, maybe Blue ribbon will be tied at EPL trophy this season!

Hopefully Fergie will field his strongest team. I personally am hoping a big win, just to get our superior goal difference. But there main thing is to get those valuable 3 points. Glory Glory Man Utd!

This blog is a place where I will express my personal opinion and prediction about all Man Utd matches. Hopefully, there will be pre-match and post-match analysis covering from EPL, FA Cup (unfortunately no more; maybe season 2009/10) and UCL.

Please feel free to comment or giving your perspective; and most important thing, please don’t take it too seriously as this is only an opinion from a fan which never been in Old Trafford, never watch Man Utd live match, but truly supports Man Utd club since a kid and hopefully up until the end.